Some say gallery walls are fading in favor of larger-scale art. Maybe that’s true for overly cluttered walls full of tiny frames, but a thoughtful collection of picture frames grouped together still feels timeless. A gallery wall can update a room, especially when placed around a TV. After all, that big black box isn’t exactly beautiful—so why not surround it with framed pieces to balance and soften it?
Placing frames around a television helps break up a large, blank wall and gives the eye multiple pleasant places to rest. The TV remains functional, but the surrounding art makes the whole wall feel curated and intentional. Nature documentaries like Planet Earth also instantly make any screen look like art, but the gallery adds personality even when the TV is off.
We first tried a frame gallery around our living room TV years ago and the arrangement has evolved, but the concept has stood the test of time. I get lots of questions about layout, what to frame, and how to hang everything, so here are practical tips based on what worked for us.
Readying Your TV For A Gallery Wall
If possible, mount the TV on the wall and hide cords with an in-wall power system to create a clean backdrop. Mounting helps the room feel more open and reduces visual clutter from a media cabinet. That said, mounting isn’t essential; a TV sitting on a low cabinet can still be surrounded with frames to great effect. Secondhand dressers and thrifted furniture make excellent bases for TV setups when you prefer not to mount.
Arranging And Hanging Your Picture Frames
There are several reliable methods to design and hang a gallery wall around a TV. Choose the one that fits your comfort level and available time.
Gallery Wall Method #1 – On The Floor
Lay your frames on the floor in front of the wall, leaving a space to represent the TV’s shape and size. Move frames around until you find an arrangement you like. This tactile approach allows easy experimentation without making unnecessary holes in the wall.
Gallery Wall Method #2 – Paper Templates
Cut newspaper, brown paper, or printer paper to the size of each frame and tape the templates to the wall. This helps you visualize placement directly on the wall before committing to nails. Adjust spacing and alignment until you’re satisfied, then replace the paper with frames.
Gallery Wall Method #3 – The Big Sheet
Arrange frames on the floor atop a large sheet of craft or rosin paper. Trace each frame and mark hanging points to create a single oversized template. Transfer that template to the wall for precise placement. This method works well for smaller groupings or for creating mirrored groupings on either side of the TV.
Gallery Wall Method #4 – Figure It Out As You Go
Be bold and hang pieces directly on the wall, starting with a central grouping above the TV and working outward. If something needs adjusting, spackling and repainting holes is quick and harmless. Breaking the wall into sections keeps the layout balanced and reduces guesswork.
How To Tie Frame Groupings Together
Mixing frames and artwork can make a gallery feel curated rather than chaotic. Here are three simple strategies that help create cohesion:
- Mats – White mats in many of the frames visually unify diverse frames and artwork, helping the grouping read as one composition.
- Consistent color palette – Repeating a few colors across different pieces (for example, blues, greens, and soft pinks) ties everything together without feeling overly matched.
- Even spacing – Keep spacing consistent, roughly 2–3 inches between frames. Too much distance makes frames read as separate islands. Treat the TV as another element and aim for similar spacing around it. Step back to the main viewing spot, like the couch, to verify how the arrangement looks from that perspective.
What To Frame In Your Gallery
A mix of items keeps the wall personal and interesting. Our gallery includes family photos, small original paintings, postcards, a book page, and sculptural pieces like faux antlers and a faux turtle shell. Combining photos, prints, small originals, and found objects creates a layered, lived-in look.
- Family photos and personal snapshots add warmth and meaning.
- Small original paintings and prints support independent artists and add unique color and texture.
- Postcards, book pages, and other ephemera are inexpensive and easy to swap as tastes change.
- Light sculptural objects—like faux antlers or decorative shells—introduce dimension and variety.
As for finding frames, affordable retailers carry attractive, ready-made frames with mats in multiple sizes, which makes assembling a cohesive gallery easier. Small shops and independent artists are great sources for original pieces that personalize the wall.
For tips on hanging, simple videos or short how-to guides can demonstrate tricks for leveling frames and protecting them from shifting. If you’re nervous about getting it perfect, start with a loose plan and be willing to adjust—holes behind frames are hardly noticeable, and filling them is quick and forgiving.
If you have a lower TV cabinet and a large blank space above it, a simple frame arrangement or a single large piece can fill that gap neatly and affordably. Experiment, start small, and add pieces over time—gallery walls evolve, and that’s part of their charm.
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